Head-dress or cap with a vegetable and textile body with leather edging and a textile strap. Exterior covered with red, white and blue beading with decorative red feathers attached to the top. It was thought to have been associated with the male Poro society by Major Anderson, worn by the 'lakka' who is described as a high status individual within the society. Further research suggests it is part of the headdress worn by a member of the Kpa (western) Mende men's society called Wunde. Those who wear this kind of headdress are called Kamakowesia (sing. Kamakowe). There should be a crown of feathers around the top - only the ends of the quills seem to have survived.
